A Free Season at Silver Dollar City for Active-Duty Service Members — Arvest Bank Backs the 250th Celebration

A patriotic offer: what was announced and why it matters

Silver Dollar City announced a new program that gives free Season Passports to active-duty members of the U.S. military for the parks season tied to Americas 250th anniversary. The theme park, known for family rides and Ozark hospitality, said the move is meant to put military families at the center of a year of celebrations. Arvest Bank is named as a partner in the initiative and is supporting the program financially and through local outreach. For service members this means broad access to the parks anniversary events without buying a season ticket, a gesture the park framed as a thank-you and a way to encourage military families to take part in the year-long festivities.

Who qualifies, what the Season Passport covers, and the fine print to watch

The announcement makes active-duty U.S. military personnel the primary recipients. In plain terms, that means people who are currently serving full time in the armed forces. The park described the program as focused on active-duty status; it did not position veterans or retirees as automatically eligible, so former service members should expect a different set of options or discounts.

According to the release, the Season Passport will cover regular admission for the season of celebrations connected to Americas 250th. That typically includes day-to-day rides, shows, and the parks standard seasonal programming. The park noted that the pass may be subject to usual limits such as capacity controls or exceptions for separately ticketed special events; in other words, not every single headline event or premium experience is guaranteed without a separate ticket. The announcement also suggested that family options or guest discounts could be available, but the core free pass is aimed at the active-duty individual. Interested service members should check the parks specific eligibility steps and any blackout or reservation rules before making travel plans.

How Arvest Bank fits into the picture

Arvest Bank is presented as the programs sponsoring partner. The banks role, as described in the announcement, is to underwrite the cost of the passes and help promote the initiative to military communities in the region. For Arvest, the move ties community banking work to a visible local event and positions the bank as a supporter of veterans and active-duty families. Silver Dollar City framed the partnership as a local collaboration that brings private funding together with the parks anniversary platform to reach more people.

What the 250th season will look like at the park

The free passes are timed to a season of special programming marking Americas 250th anniversary. The park plans a mix of long-running favorites and anniversary-themed attractions: special shows that nod to American history, themed parades or ceremonies, extended weekend events, and likely some one-off marquee nights such as concerts or fireworks. Food and craft offerings tied to the anniversary were highlighted as part of the seasons draw, along with the parks usual family entertainment and ride lineup. The idea is to give passholders many reasons to return across the season, from holiday-style events to quieter weekday visits.

Why this matters locally — tourism, goodwill and a marketing boost

For the Ozark region that surrounds Silver Dollar City, a program like this can lift tourism by encouraging repeat visits and longer stays. Military families who travel for the pass may fill hotel rooms, eat at area restaurants, and visit nearby attractions. For Silver Dollar City and Arvest Bank, the initiative is also a public-relations win: it combines patriotic timing with community support and puts both brands in the spotlight during a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary season.

Financially, this is more of a local goodwill and marketing play than a major market event. The program is important for community relations and could modestly boost visitor numbers, but it is unlikely to have large, immediate financial implications for a regional bank or the parks owners beyond the visible brand benefits.

How to claim a pass and where to get the details

Active-duty service members should follow the parks official instructions to claim a Season Passport. The announcement said proof of active-duty status will be required, such as a military ID, and that registration will be handled through the parks customer channels with Arvest helping with outreach. The simplest next steps are to contact Silver Dollar Citys guest services or Arvests local branches for current enrollment windows, documentation requirements, and any reservation rules. Keep an eye on the parks event calendar for dates of marquee anniversary programming so you can plan visits once the pass is secured.

Sources

• prnewswire.com